Welcome to The Institute for Internal Controls' Frequently Asked Questions section. Get answers to questions about membership, becoming a CICA/CCS, CPE credit, local and student chapters, and much more.
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General
What is The Institute for Internal Controls?
The Institute for Internal Controls is a professional certification association providing certification, research and training in the area of internal controls. Established in 2003, with headquarters in Southern New Jersey, outside of Philadelphia, the institute is a major resource in the development of new tools and techniques for the audit, review, evaluation, design and implementation of internal controls.
What are the key objectives your organization seeks to differentiate itself by in comparison to other certification organizations?
The reason for our creation was due to the fact that we felt that many of the other organizations have not met the needs of the auditing profession in addressing internal controls. Much of their reaction seems to be to offer courses as a revenue source. Our mission is limited to internal controls and education. We will be sponsoring research in all areas of internal controls, as well as developing training programs, audit programs, and new auditing techniques that will address our member's needs. All products other than training (which will be fairly inexpensive when compared to others) will be free to members.
How does your organization plan on remaining in business with the competition of the other key professional organizations and their membership size?
We do not feel we are in competition with these organizations since our mission is specific to internal controls. We feel our small size allows us to better address the needs of the membership. Membership presently is limited to those holding the certification of CICA or CCS. Associate membership will be granted to those candidates not eligible for grandfathering and registered for certification through the Curriculum Program. We will not use advertising on our website or at our conferences to sell more business. We are following the mission of true educational and research organizations. Much of what we do is performed voluntarily by our members, who possess the advocacy for teaching and learning.
I have received a nominations letter. How did you obtain my name?
We have not purchased any mailing list for our mailing. Our research staff has looked at public information that is available on the web. In your example we did research into the internal audit departments of colleges and universities. We have also researched government audit sites, as well as individual organization sites and publications for the identity of individuals who are in current internal audit positions or who have displayed a prominence in the profession. In your case, your website for the internal audit department has your staff listed. We looked at factors such as position/title and other certifications to determine if you would be a candidate for nomination for certification.
Why is The Institute for Internal Controls offering certification via the Grandfathering Provision?
The Institute for Internal Controls recognizes that there are many experienced professionals who meet the criteria for certification as a CICA or CCS based on their education, experience and other professional certifications they hold. Following the tradition of many of the other well known certification organizations including the IIA, ACFE, and ISACA, who likewise granted certifications under their grandfathering provisions during their early years, TheIIC Advisory Board has approved the granting of the CICA and CCS certification under the grandfathering provision.
How do I know if I am eligible to become a CICA or CCS?
Qualifications for becoming a CICA or CCS are included in the application for certification. In addition, all members must be of high moral character and agree to follow the code of ethics and professional standards of The Institute for Internal Controls.
What do you mean by internal controls related experience?
Internal control related experience means that you have worked full-time in a position that contributes to the audit, review/evaluation, design, implementation or education of internal controls. Fields related to internal controls include: Accounting and Auditing, Consulting, Systems Design, Process Controls, Loss Prevention, Ethics and Law. If you are unsure if your experience qualifies, please submit a detailed outline of your duties with your application for review.
Membership
If I change jobs does my membership "travel" with me?
Membership in The Institute for Internal Controls is individual rather than organizational, therefore, once granted it travels with you. Also, since your membership is personal it is not transferable to someone else within your organization should you leave your company.
Associate Membership
How do I become an Associate Member?
Associate membership is limited in individuals who do not qualify for CICA or CCS certification under the grandfathering clause and who are interested in completing the academic curriculum for certification. To join the institute as an associate member you must complete the application and fax or mail in the completed application and application fee.
Where can I get an application for membership?
You can download an application from our website or you may contact the Member Services Department by phone or send us an email requesting an application at info@theiic.org.
How do I start a local chapter?
The Institute for Internal Controls does not have any formal procedures for starting a local chapter. The template for doing so usually is based on local members getting together and forming their own plan to do so. The institute will provide guidance to members who want to establish a local chapter. We recommend that as the first step you create an organization committee to develop your specific plan. Due to privacy issues, The institute does not provide any personal information on our members; however, we would forward emails to members in your area to inform them about the new local chapter and provide them with your contact information. All chapters must be approved by the Board of The Institute for Internal Controls.
How do I start a student chapter?
Student chapters can only be formed by faculty at their school. Educators interested in starting student chapters should contact The Institute for Internal Controls directly.
Continuing Education / CPE Credits
What are the continuing education requirements to maintain my CICA/CCS designation?
Effective January 1, 2005, 40 hours of CPE credits are required to maintain your CICA/CCS designation each biennial period (every two years). All of these hours must be in internal controls areas of study as outlined in the Body of Knowledge (see academic curriculum for certification). Details of the CPE requirements are available at the Certifications link on our website.
What if I get more than 40 hours in one biennial period? Can I roll them over to the next biennial period?
No, you will not be permitted to roll-over CPE credit hours.
How do I report my CPE credits?
The Institute for Internal Controls does not require formal reporting of specific CPE credit hours. However, you will be required to certify that you are in compliance with CPE requirements upon renewal of your CICA/CCS membership with the institute. In addition, you may be asked to provide proof of CPE if you are selected for an audit or if you are involved in a disciplinary proceeding.
Can I use CPE credits earned from other designations for my CICA/CCA designation?
Yes. we will accept CPE credit from other organizations as long as the courses meet the following requirements: class must meet in a formal setting, have an instructor, a written course outline, attendance that is required and recorded, and finally a certificate of completion must be issued. The institute readily accepts credit earned from formal classes, postgraduate college courses not being applied towards a degree, correspondence and self-study courses, authoring an article or instructing a class, and attending local chapter meetings. For additional information, see the Certifications link on our website.
Recognition of TheIIC, CICA and CCS designations
Are TheIIC and the CICA and CCA designations recognized?
There is no formal recognition process in the U.S. for recognizing professional certifications in accounting/auditing other the CPA, which is actually a license to practice accounting, administered by the various states in the U.S.
Are TheIIC and the CICA and CCA designations recognized for exemption in taking Part IV of the CIA exam?
No, the IIA does not recognize any certification from any organization that is earned via the Grandfathering provision. They only will consider applications for recognition only from organizations that grant certification based on passage of an examination. It should be noted that the CFE designation was not recognized by the IIA for almost 15 years due to this limitation.
I live in the Middle East and have found delays in receiving mail from the U.S. Can I have my certificate shipped to me via courier service?
Yes, we can ship certificates via courier service, but the cost must be paid by the member. Certificate mailings in the U.S. are via US Postal Service Priority Mail which typically is 2-3 days and is tracked. Although we also use USPS Priority Mail outside of the US, there is no tracking. We have found that the promised 10 day delivery is subject to country conditions and that service in certain areas such as the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia may take as much as 60 days. Also, we have experienced a high rate of non delivery of certificates in these areas. Alternatively, we can provide courier service to any country outside of the US. Courier service provides tracking and guaranteed delivery within one week; however, this service is expensive and the cost prohibitive for general purposes by TheIIC. Members can ask for courier service on an individual basis by paying the cost of the courier service. Members should email info@theiic.org for an estimate of the cost of using courier service.
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